Summertime Dream (1/4 Ton) Information, Review, Specs

The Summertime Dream was launched in 1979, a singular creation born from the collaborative vision of designer Carl Schumacher and builder Dencho Marine. Dencho Marine, founded by Dennis Choate in 1973, earned a distinctive reputation for specializing in high-quality, limited-production racing sailboats from its Long Beach, California facility. During this era, Dencho Marine was known for its commitment to robust construction and optimizing vessels for various racing rules, ensuring peak performance on the racecourse. The Summertime Dream, built with a wood strip planked hull and deck, exemplifies Dencho's dedication to quality in a high-stakes racing environment. As a typical Quarter Tonner of its time, its design would have been at the forefront of the class, which focused on smaller keelboats aimed at competitive sailing.

Sailing Performance and Handling

The Summertime Dream boasts impressive performance ratios, indicative of its racing pedigree. With a sail area to displacement ratio of 19.10, the boat is poised for excellent performance, particularly in lighter air conditions where its generous sail plan can efficiently propel it. The ballast to displacement ratio, at approximately 46.7%, suggests a stiff and stable platform, capable of standing up to more wind and maintaining its sail-carrying ability even in demanding conditions. Furthermore, its displacement to length ratio of 185.27 places it firmly in the category of lighter, more performance-oriented vessels for its size, promising an agile and responsive sailing experience. While specific anecdotal handling descriptions are limited due to its unique nature, as a "typical QT circa 1979", it would have been designed for sharp handling, good balance, and competitive speed, characteristic of the Quarter Ton class. The fin keel and spade rudder further contribute to its maneuverability and control on the racecourse.

Accommodations and Layout

Given its role as a dedicated 1/4 Ton racing yacht from 1979, the interior accommodations of the Summertime Dream would have been minimalist and highly functional, prioritizing weight reduction and efficiency over extensive cruising comforts. Details on specific headroom or interior layout are not readily available, which is typical for performance-focused boats of this class and era. While one source suggests the designer chose a "slightly more spacy hull design" compared to some peers, any interior space would have been primarily configured for essential crew functions during races, such as navigation, sail storage, and perhaps very basic sleeping arrangements. High-quality materials would have been employed for structural integrity and light weight, consistent with Dencho Marine's focus on quality construction for grand prix racing.